10mm, .357, or .44

[drinktothat421]

Good reason to get that m&p 10mm i guess.

 

[ShootFirstFirster]

Its not a LARP.

If you are hunting with a rifle or bow and can legally carry a sidearm of some kind you should have it.

The statistical argument is rich and par for the course from the usual suspects.

 

[ButteFlyFisher]

Its not a LARP.

If you are hunting with a rifle or bow and can legally carry a sidearm of some kind you should have it.

The statistical argument is rich and par for the course from the usual suspects.

There has only been 1 human on record killed by a black bear in California and it was an older lady in her own home... it's a pretty solid statistical argument.

 

[SamHenry]

There has only been 1 human on record killed by a black bear in California and it was an older lady in her own home... it's a pretty solid statistical argument.

Just this year, six people have suffered non-fatal injuries in incidences involving black bears in California.

 

[ShootFirstFirster]

There has only been 1 human on record killed by a black bear in California and it was an older lady in her own home... it's a pretty solid statistical argument.

There has been plenty of black bear attacks with serious and non life threatening injuries in California.

But theres plenty of reasons other than a bear to carry a sidearm into nature.

I suppose you would argue the chances of ever using your CCW is so low that its not worth acquiring let alone actually carrying?

 

[RustVendor]

Just this year, six people have suffered non-fatal injuries in incidences involving black bears in California.

Where were they? There's a big difference between areas where bears were socialized and places you hike and especially where you hunt.

 

[RustVendor]

There has been plenty of black bear attacks with serious and non life threatening injuries in California.

But theres plenty of reasons other than a bear to carry a sidearm into nature.

I suppose you would argue the chances of ever using your CCW is so low that its not worth acquiring let alone actually carrying?

The conversation is about carrying larger calibers to defend against wildlife. The wildlife in the backcountry is not particularly dangerous. This isn't a conversation about other risks it's about people who live in cities that panic when they see wildlife.

 

[ShootFirstFirster]

Where were they? There's a big difference between areas where bears were socialized and places you hike and especially where you hunt.

Do we only CCW in the ghetto and not carry in affluent areas?

Do you know know all the specific home ranges of these socialized bears?

 

[ShootFirstFirster]

The conversation is about carrying larger calibers to defend against wildlife. The wildlife in the backcountry is not particularly dangerous. This isn't a conversation about other risks it's about people who live in cities that panic when they see wildlife.

No the conversation originally discussed bears and cats. And the only large caliber in the poll is 44mag.

 

[ButteFlyFisher]

Just this year, six people have suffered non-fatal injuries in incidences involving black bears in California.

If you are worried about six bear attacks I sure hope you wear a helmet while showering and chew every bite of food at least 20 times.

 

[Nomad]

.45acp. I carry either Buffalo Bore or Underwood 255gr hard cast +p, according to Uncle Tim at Buffalo Bore it is more than sufficient. Go to the 9:30 mark in the video link below:

 

[Trapper]

Where were they? There's a big difference between areas where bears were socialized and places you hike and especially where you hunt.

A few years ago, I was backpacking and fishing in Desolation Wilderness Area alone with no firearms. I have a ccw but gave priority to food, shelter and fishing gear rather than the added weight of a handgun. First evening of the trip, I woke up to a bear sniffing my tent just inches away from where I was sleeping. He simply found something new in his neighborhood and wanted to check it out or maybe it was the oats & honey shampoo my wife gave me, regardless, it was never aggressive. I yelled at the bear, it ran away and I went back to sleep.
Bears in campgrounds or neighborhoods are less predictable.

 

[ShootFirstFirster]

Anyways OP if you already have a reliable 9mm do your own research on hornady backcountry. More than enough for a big blackie or unit cougar or a 2 leg threat. Unless you plan on traveling further north no need to up gun.

 

[SamHenry]

If you are worried about six bear attacks I sure hope you wear a helmet while showering and chew every bite of food at least 20 times.

I mean, to be fair, I stated that I carry a snubnose 357 when hunting. That ALSO happens to be my CCW. I’d like to get a 44 mag and I’d ALSO like to hunt in Colorado, Montana, or Alaska one day. I wouldn’t mind being already used to the extra 7ozs.

Is your point that my level of preparation is overkill, statistically speaking for reported fatalities here in this state?

I’m happy to concede the point. I’m pretty comfortable with being over-prepared.

 

[Tere_Hanges]

Been camping and hiking in the Sierras for years and never once felt I needed a gun for a black bear. I feel more prepared with bear spray. I'd worry more about mountain lions and people, both of which a 9 or 40 is more than adequate. Also, I don't like to hike with any extra weight than is necessary. Especially when hunting. You're already carrying a rifle; it's pretty ridiculous to pack a handgun as well. That being said, of the 3 rounds you listed, I voted for the .44 because I friggin love that round and I think it's the best-performing of the three. I don't own a .44, but I'd definitely buy one instead of a 10mm. I already have a bunch of 40s, and I don't consider the round to be wimpy at all. I think 180-grain 40 is pretty much perfect. A lot of people end up loading 10mm down to 40 anyway.

 

[ButteFlyFisher]

I mean, to be fair, I stated that I carry a snubnose 357 when hunting. That ALSO happens to be my CCW. I’d like to get a 44 mag and I’d ALSO like to hunt in Colorado, Montana, or Alaska one day. I wouldn’t mind being already used to the extra 7ozs.

Is your point that my level of preparation is overkill, statistically speaking for reported fatalities here in this state?

I’m happy to concede the point. I’m pretty comfortable with being over-prepared.

My point is a lot of new hunters or people new to the woods think they NEED a hunting sidearm in 10mm/357 mag/44 mag to be safe in the woods. I and others are saying the woods are generally a pretty safe place: bears will leave you alone, mountain lions will be eating your face before you realize they are there. A lot of times people build up that they need all this gear to get into a hobby and I'm trying to help dispel that. Same with USPSA/IDPA. Just show up and start doing it, you'll find out what you actually need as you go.

With that said, if you WANT to carry a sidearm for whatever reason, more power to you. I normally carry my Glock 19 while hunting or fishing like you do your 357 snub. One hunt I didn't really feel like hunting and wanted to fish so I carried my 10mm with non-lead in the very unlikely situation where I jumped the dumbest buck on my way to the creek.

 

[OctoB]

A few years ago, I was backpacking and fishing in Desolation Wilderness Area alone with no firearms. I have a ccw but gave priority to food, shelter and fishing gear rather than the added weight of a handgun. First evening of the trip, I woke up to a bear sniffing my tent just inches away from where I was sleeping. He simply found something new in his neighborhood and wanted to check it out or maybe it was the oats & honey shampoo my wife gave me, regardless, it was never aggressive. I yelled at the bear, it ran away and I went back to sleep.
Bears in campgrounds or neighborhoods are less predictable.

Had a similar encounter many years ago in Emigrant Wilderness & Lassen...I don't think I got much sleep either night. Glad we're still here to talk about it.

 

[RustVendor]

Do we only CCW in the ghetto and not carry in affluent areas?

Do you know know all the specific home ranges of these socialized bears?

People represent a much higher threat regardless of the neighborhood but if you are in an area that's worthwhile for deer hunting, you won't be near the urban interface where the bears are used to people. A big reason for this is hunting pressure. just about anywhere you can hunt deer you can hunt bear. If you don't care about the weight it doesn't matter, carry whatever you want. I do think it's good for people to know that bears aren't dangerous here, even the socialized ones I would say are still less dangerous than a lot of people's dogs. You will definitely see bears when you are glassing for deer and you should have a realistic conception of how worried you should be. there's a much bigger risk someone gets a charge for shooting a bear unnecessarily than anything

 

[Gawernator]

9mm because I'm not buying a whole new handgun and ammo supply just for that.

 

[Gawernator]

I am looking to start hunting in the next year or two. Live in NorCal and plan to hunt mostly in NorCal. My buddies that hunt have seen bears and mountain lions. Last trip they crossed paths with 2 bears.

What do you use for defense carry and why?

Bro I am blasting them with my 7.62x51 AR-10 with backup red dot if they get close or scope if they're far enough away lmao handgun is much less important.